Parents at the Global Climate Talks #COP28

Parents for Climate Co-Founder and hardworking volunteer Leanne has been busy helping to coordinate the attendance of parents from around the world at the global climate talks in Dubai over the next 2 weeks.  While Parents For Climate does not have a parent in attendance, Leanne and Alicia Hall from Parents for Climate Aotearoa, have virtual tickets meaning they can observe in real time how the proceedings are progressing, and can meet virtually with delegates.  They’re happy to be saving emissions and sleeping in their own beds. 

The Our Kids Climate network has provided financial and communications support to parent delegates to make it all possible, and Becky from OKC deserves all our thanks for doing a lot of the work.

Parents in attendance will be promoting the message that delegates need to put #KidsFirst in all decisions.  The recent General Comment 26 on the Rights of the Child calls for this. They are also calling for Australia and other nations to join the call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, an initiative Vanuatu and Tuvalu are leading on. You can sign our letter to the Federal Government calling for this treaty here.

They are building on the work done last year when this video, featuring one of our Sydney kids, was played at COP27.

Meet the Parent Climate Advocates at #COP28 (Read bios here).

Bhavreen Kandhari, India

Quote: “Experts have shown how fossil fuels are responsible for the disastrous, toxic air that comes into our bodies in every way. Every third child in Delhi has damaged lungs from air that’s polluted by burning fossil fuels. In Delhi, every child is a smoker as soon as they’re born.”

Aydah Akao, Solomon Islands

Quote: “We are resilient people. We want to continue living on the islands. This is our home. Our parents and forefathers have lived here.  The mothers are very strong, but they are concerned. The sea is already rising.  The classrooms are very close to the shore. The primary school may not even exist a few years from now.”  

Miriam Wanjiku, Kenya

Quote: “I want to ensure that our children grow up with nature, understanding their soil and taking pride in agriculture instead of moving away from it. Maybe then, they will grow up healthier, using clean energy and we will really see a better future for them. I'm happy to be the mother of a climate activist. Through her I found my own purpose. We've changed a small part of our world, and we are continuing to change the world.”

Thato Gabaitse, Botswana

Quote: “The parent voice is important because people can relate to parents. You can be a doctor, you can be a farmer, you can be in different industries, but at the end of the day, you are a parent. And that resonates with everyone. I’m working solely for the children. I know that through all these efforts, one day we’ll have a better system. One step at a time and soon, the younger generation will have a better world.” 

Kelo Uchendu, Nigeria

Quote: “Our planet is in a critical state. The breaking ice caps in the Arctic to me signify a breaking of Mother Earth’s spirit, a weakening of her very foundations. In the Sahel region, we are experiencing drought and rapidly encroaching desertification.  There is still a long way to go to secure a habitable future for all. COP28 is a very important COP because it will mark the first ever global stocktake (GST). As we take stock of the progress made so far, I believe there is dire need to close the gap between politically-agreed targets and science-based targets.”

Patience Agyekum, Ghana

Quote: “Over 90 percent of children worldwide are breathing dirty, toxic air because of the burning of fossil fuels. A recent World Bank report revealed air pollution to be the number one environmental risk to Ghana’s public health, with infants particularly vulnerable. The climate crisis is an intergenerational crisis that affects children and their rights now, and in the future. For their sake, we must act.”

Precious Kalombwana, Zambia 

Precious is a mother and youth climate justice and debt justice activist from Zambia. She is a prominent youth leader with Extinction Rebellion (XR), Mothers* Rebellion, Zambia Climate Save (CL) Debt for Climate Zambia (D4C), parents for future Zambia as well as Fridays for Future (FFF) Zambia. She works with young people together to amplify their voices and pave the way for a thriving greener future free from unjust debt.

Alberto Niquen Guerra, Peru 

Alberto is a freelance citizen journalist specialized in environment, climate change and indigenous people. He is a member of Parents for Future Latam, and Global.  Alberto writes for Periodistas por el Planeta, Diálogo Chino, Colmena LAB, LatinClima, Inforegión and La Mula. He was awarded the National Environmental Journalism Award in Peru. He has covered COPs on climate change and biodiversity. He has been a journalism fellow with the Earth Journalism Network, Internews and LatinClima.